23 Ways the Church Has Changed in 2018

"If you think the Church has been fully restored, you're just seeing the beginning," President Russell M. Nelson said during his South American tour this year. This past year has demonstrated our Church is a living church—one that is continually evolving to help bring us closer to the Savior. And this is just the beginning. "Wait till next year, and then the next year," President Nelson said. "Eat your vitamin pills. Get some rest. It's going to be exciting."

"With tender feelings we announce that Thomas S. Monson, president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died this evening at 10:01 pm in his home in Salt Lake City. He was with family at the time of his passing. He died at age 90 from causes incident to age."

In his first message to members of the Church, President Russell M. Nelson announced President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring as his counselors in the First Presidency. He then shared this uplifting message: "To each member of the Church I would say keep on the covenant path. . . . As a presidency, we want to begin with the end in mind."

During general conference this April, we held a solemn assembly to sustain our new prophet and Church leaders, including two new apostles: Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Elder Ulisses Soares.

"The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will," President Nelson said. These changes include focusing more on our Savior, whose Church this is, by avoiding using "Mormon Church," "LDS Church," "Church of the Latter-day Saints," or the terms "Mormon" and "Mormonism."

Speaking of his wife's passing on October 1, 2018, President M. Russell Ballard wrote:

"My family and I thank you for your love and your outreach of kindness after the passing of my wife Barbara. How grateful I am to know where my precious Barbara is and that we will be together again, with our family, for all eternity. . . .

"We . . . can be comforted and learn more about our own future when we and our loved ones die and go to the spirit world by studying this revelation and pondering its significance in the way we live our lives each day. May the peace of the Lord sustain us now and forever."

In line with the "newer, holier approach" our prophet and Church leaders outlined for us in April general conference, we now focus more on caring, loving, and serving our fellow brothers and sisters and less on reports and checklists.

President Nelson announced during the Saturday priesthood session of April general conference that the high priests would meet with the elders in the elders quorum "to accomplish the work of the Lord more effectively." This change has helped create unity and learning opportunities for all involved.

Our new prophet's travels have not ended with his global ministry tour that included eight countries visited in eleven days. Since then, he has continued to travel, hold firesides, and meet with Church members everywhere in venues from major league baseball fields to hockey stadiums and countries from South America to Asia.

The Church released the first new Church history book in nearly a century,Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days. Unlike previous histories, this book brings the stories of past members to life with vivid storytelling that doesn't shy away from controversial Church topics. Both accessible and informative, the narrative-form book gives readers a look into the lives of the Saints who dedicated their hearts to establishing the Church and spreading the gospel throughout the world.

During the Saturday morning session of the 188th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Church announced changes to weekly Church meetings, including that church meetings will now be two hours instead of three.

“As Latter-day Saints, we have become accustomed to thinking of ‘church’ as something that happens in our meetinghouses, supported by what happens at home,” President Nelson said. “We need an adjustment to this pattern. It is time for home-centered church, supported by what takes place inside our branch, ward, and stake buildings.” Because of this, the Church decided to make changes to "organizational structures that will fortify our members and their families."

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is growing across the earth. As this occurs, local Church leaders and members are encouraged to focus on gospel learning in their homes and to participate in Sabbath worship and the Church’s supporting programs for children, youth, individuals and families. The goal of every activity in the Church should be to increase faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and to share His gospel message throughout the world," a statement from the Church's newsroom stated. Because of this, the Church began reexamining some of its sponsored pageants and held discussions with local Church and community leaders to decide the best way to move forward. In the end, the Church announced:

The Nauvoo Pageant will continue with support from Church headquarters.

The Mesa Pageant will continue under area leadership in 2021 following the renovation of the Mesa Temple.

The British Pageant will continue every four years under area leadership. The next pageant will be in 2021.

Following President Nelson's request that members use the full name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and refrain from using the term "Mormon," the historic Mormon Tabernacle Choir changed its name to the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

About this name change, Ron Jarrett, president of the choir, said, "The name may change, but everything that people know and love about the choir will not only be the same but will get better and better."

In a letter to the Church, the First President stated that "Bishops have a sacred responsibility to lead, teach, and inspire youth. Effective personal interviews are one important way they do this. These interviews provide opportunities to help youth become disciples of the Savior, repent of transgressions, and live the gospel of Jesus Christ." The letter continues, "To help ensure that youth and parents are aware of the topics and questions covered in these interviews, the bishop should share the enclosed guidelines with them before the first interview."

“Programs of the Church are home-centered and Church-sponsored,” said Mike Magelby, director of the curriculum for the Church. “Your study starts at home. You will get the doctrine and learn things from the home manual.”

Brian J. Hansbrow, a curriculum developer for the Church, added, “[Research has] found that scripture study in the home—personal religious devotion—had a greater impact on conversion than anything else." And the Church is utilizing that information to strengthen how we learn and teach the gospel.

In a letter released December 14, 2018, the First Presidency announced:

"In January 2019 children will complete Primary and begin attending Sunday School and Young Women or Aaronic Priesthood quorums as age-groups at the beginning of January in the year they turn 12. Likewise, young women will progress between Young Women classes and young men between Aaronic Priesthood quorums as age-groups at the beginning of January in the year they turn 14 and 16.

"In addition, young men will be eligible for ordination to the appropriate priesthood office in January of the year they turn 12, 14, and 16. Young women and ordained young men will be eligible for limited-use temple recommends beginning in January of the year they turn 12."

In September, the Church called three new Relief Society general board members (Tracy Yeulande Browning, Lori Draper, and Susan “Susie” Marie Mullen), seven new Young Women general board members (Carol Lawrence Costley, Elizabeth “Liz” Jane Darger, Vicki G. Jackman, Shelby Killpack, Lori Christine Newbold, Shauna Merrill Ogden, and Amy Wright), and four new Primary general board members (Nancy Pilkington Dance, Michelle M. King, Tara Lee Mickelsen, and Dana Wright), who joined our Church leaders during October general conference.

For the first time, members of the First Presidency and leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) met together in a historic meeting to learn how they could unite in their shared causes. Leon W. Russell, chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors, called the meeting between the NAACP and the Church "God-assisted." "No matter what your belief is, sometimes you have to believe there is some direction coming. I believe that spiritually this was directed. It was meant to be, purposeful, and intended," he said. "It was mutual, let's say God-assisted, work. It so happened we were looking for ways to reach out, they were looking for ways to reach out, and we got connected, and so here we are."

Set to roll out in January 2020, Newsroom said about this new initiative: "For years, Church leaders have been preparing a new initiative to teach and provide leadership and development opportunities to all children and youth, to support families and to strengthen youth everywhere as they develop faith in the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This new approach is intended to help all girls and boys, young women and young men discover their eternal identity, build character and resilience, develop life skills and fulfill their divine roles as daughters and sons of God."

Shortly before April general conference, the Church announced the dedication dates for the Rome Italy Temple. Just a few days later, President Nelson stood at the pulpit and announced seven more temples: Salta, Argentina; Bengaluru, India; Managua, Nicaragua; Cagayan de Oro, Philippines; Layton, Utah; Richmond, Virginia; and a major city yet to be determined in Russia. In October general conference, President Nelson announced plans to build 12 new temples (Mendoza, Argentina; Salvador, Brazil; Yuba City, California; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Praia, Cape Verde; Yigo, Guam; Puebla, Mexico; Auckland, New Zealand; Lagos, Nigeria; Davao, Philippines; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Washington County, Utah). In addition to this being the largest number of temples ever announced on the same day, the news brings the total number of Latter-day Saint temples operating, announced or under construction to 201. This comes exactly 18 years to the week since the Church completed its 100th temple.

The "Be One" celebration featured a message from the First Presidency, stories of faith from Church member across the globe, and music from Gladys Knight, Alex Boyé, the Bonnor family, the Unity Gospel Choir International, and members of the Tabernacle Choir. It was a beautiful commemoration of people all over the world who were blessed by the declaration that worthy black men in the Church could begin to hold the priesthood.